Providencejournal.com readers complain about proposed gun legislation

Wednesday

Feb 27, 2013 at 9:28 AM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Some providencejournal.com readers are reacting with outrage to proposed legislation that would require gun owners to pay a $100-per-firearm fee and register their guns with the police.

Jack Perry

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Some providencejournal.com readers are reacting with outrage to proposed legislation that would require gun owners to pay a $100-per-firearm fee and register their guns with the police.

The bill, pending in the Rhode Island General Assembly, would also require gun owners to provide their name, address, signature and fingerprints in registering the weapon.

Fifty-seven reader comments have been posted to the story by mid-morning, with readers complaining that the law could be unconstitutional and would impose an unfair tax, but would not deter crime.

"What's next, a $550,00 annual fee to exercise our right to free speech?,' writes Art Cabral. "This country was founded on individual freedom not government control. If the laws already enacted were enforced we wouldn't be where we are now. Make the criminals pay, not law abiding citizens!"